Mencap responds to the government's SEN green paper consultation

Monday 13 September 2010

David Congdon, Mencap's head of campaigns and policy, said:

"This consultation provides a crucial opportunity to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people are at the forefront of government reforms. Mencap welcomes the introduction of this green paper and is encouraged by the government's commitment to improving service provision for young people with a learning disability and their families.

For some parents, the current system is a constant fight to get their children the support they need to learn on an equal level to their peers. Following recommendations made in the Lamb inquiry, Mencap believes that better communication between schools and families would increase parents' confidence in their children's education. Furthermore, greater emphasis should be placed on equipping teachers with the tools and training they need to provide the best support for children with a learning disability."

ENDS

For more information please contact Jenny Brannan on 020 7696 6017 or 020 7696 5414. Out of hours please call 07770 656 659.

Notes to editor

• About Mencap

Mencap supports the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and their families and carers. Mencap fights to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

We are also one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. See http://www.mencap.org.uk/ for more information.

• About learning disability

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong and affects someone's intellectual and social development. It used to be called mental handicap but this term is outdated and offensive. Learning disability is NOT a mental illness. The term learning difficulty is often incorrectly used interchangeably with learning disability.